Paper feeding mechanism for accounting machines



.11111623, 1942- w. A. ANIDDERSOIN 2,28%405:

PAPER FEEDING MECHANISM FOR comm-m Filed June 26,1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR WALTER A. ANDERSON ATTORNEY Julie 23, 1942. w. A. ANDERSON PAPER FEEDING MECHANISM ACCOUNTING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Fil ed June'26, 1940 LIN . O I50.00 O 50.00

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COL.1 COL.2 COLJ INVENTOR WALTER A ANDERSON BY (4 ATTORNEY June 23, 1942. w. A. ANDERSON 2,287,405 1 PAPER FEEDING MECHANISM FfOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES Filed June 26, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 lNV-ENTOR I WALTER A. ANDERSON ATTORNEY Patented June 23, 1942 PAPER FEEDING MECHANISM FOR- ACOOUNTIN G MACHINES Walter A. Anderson, Bridgeport, Conn., assignor to Underwood Elliott Fisher Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application June 26, 1940, Serial N0. 342,545

2 Claims.

This invention relates to paper feeding mechanism for accounting machines, and more particularly to a mechanism for selectively, either jointly or independently feeding the paper carried by each of the parts of a two-part or split platen either similar or different line space distances.

A paper feed mechanism of this general character is disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,084,519 issued to me on June 22, 1937. This mechanism permits the independent selective feeding of that portion only of the platen which is in operative relation with the printing type bars during that operation, to thereby eliminate waste of paper when it is desired to complete a number of entries on successive lines of one of the records and to make only a single entry on the other record to correspond thereto. This mechanism also permits selective feeding control so that the feeding mechanism is operated only in pre- -.5

determined columnar positions of the paper carriage. It has, however, certain limitations in that only a single or no-line spacing operation can beperformed.

In handling work of the character performed 3-" on a two-part platen, it is often desirable that one of the records be fed a single line space, and the other record a multiple line space, or vice versa.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide paper feeding mechanism for a two-part platen which permits of either uniform or different line space feeding of the two parts of the platen.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and effective manipulative means for rendering the feed mechanismsassociated with the platen parts inoperative, each independently of the other.

With these and incidental objects in view, the

invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, the essential elements of which are set forth in appended claims, and a preferred embodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference to the to prevent engagement of the spacing finger with its corresponding spacing wheel),

Figure 2 is a left side elevation and shows the line space mechanism at mid-cycle position, and the disabling mechanism in inoperative position,

Figure 3 is a perspective taken from the right side of the machine showing the mechanism in its normal position after it has advanced the platen, g

Figure 4 is a front elevation showing the two parts of the platen, the two record sheets and the relative positions of the carriage rail, the ends of the carriage and the printing type, together with a diagrammatic showing of the distribution of carriage stops to effect line spacing in the several columnar positions of the carriage,

Figure 5 is a detail right side elevation showing a latch for rendering the line space disabling mechanism inoperative (for use where it is desired to have both parts of the platen feed simultaneously), and

Figure 6 isa perspective taken from the front left corner of the machine and shows the connections for preventing operation of the line spacing mechanism except in predetermined columnar positions of the paper carriage.

The present mechanism is shown as applied to a'ke'y set, motor actuated accounting machine having a traveling paper carriage with suitable control lugs on the rear thereof, 7

This mechanism is shown as applied to the machine fully disclosed in the U. S. Patent 'No. 2,194,270, issued to Oscar J. Sundstrand, and is an "improvement over the mechanism disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 1,708,284, issued to Oscar J. Sundstrand, as well as an improvement over my U. S. Patent No. 2,084,519 as hereinbefore stated.

A laterally movable paper carriage indicated generally at I (Figure 1) is mounted on a rail 2 through anti-friction rollers such as 3. It is moved from right to left (Figure 4) in its Working stroke, and'is stopped in the several tabular columns indicated, by-suitable tabulating mechani'sm described in the above mentioned Patent No. 2,194,270. A suitable carriage return also described in this patent returns the carriage to its right hand position.

While the carriage is stopped in each of its columnar positions, the machine is operated to perform the necessary accounting function and to print the proper entry on one of the record sheets. To perform these operations, a main actuating shaft 4 (Figure 1) is oscillated first counter-clockwise to the position shown in Figure 1, and then clockwise to its normal position. In the operation of shaft 4, an arm 5 secured thereto, through a roller 6, oscillates a pelican lever I pivoted at 8. Operation of lever 'l raises and lowers a link ll pivoted to the lever and to a bell crank I2 pivoted at It. The movement parted to link ll first oscillates bell crank l2 clockwise to the position shown in Figure 1, and then counter-clockwise to its normal position. A roller [4 on the upper arm of bell crank l2 receives a corresponding movement.

A cradle composed of rods 15 and [6 (see also Figure 6) and end plates I1 and [8 (Figure 2) is pivoted in the carriage frame on rod l5 and is tensioned clockwise by spring 21 and 22 (Figures 1 and 2) fastened to laterally extending pins. 23 and 24 fixed on the forward ends of plates H and I8. Clockwise movement of the cradle is limited by roller l 4.

Line spacing fingers 25 and 26' are pivoted to plates I! and I8 and have their forward ends tensioned upwardly by springs 2'1 and 26 attached to the rear ends of the fingers and to levers 3i and 32, also pivoted on plates l1 and It. For the purpose of the present disclosure, levers 3i and 32 may be considered only as anchors for springs 21 and 26. The position of levers 3i and 32, under the tension of springs 21 and 28, is determined by rollers 33 and 34 bearing against the under side of plates l1 and i3.

Spacing wheels 35 and 36 are secured near the outer ends of individual platen shafts 37 and 38 (Figure 4) and lie in the same vertical plane with spacing fingers 25 and 26. Movement of these spacing wheels rotates their respective shafts and thereby advances their respective record sheets, the movement of one spacing wheel and platen having no efiect on the other spacing wheel and platen. The details of construction of the platen shafts and the manner in which the platens are secured thereto may be similar to the construction disclosed in the U. S. Patent No. 1,708,284 or No. 1,880,220.

By the above described parts, the initial clockwise oscillation of bell crank 82 (Figure 1) moves roller !4 to the rear, allowing springs 2! and 22 to rock the cradle clockwise and move the forward pointed ends of fingers 25 and 26 upwardly and rearwardly (Figure 3). During this movement, fingers 25 and 26 first engage ratchet wheels 35 and 36, respectively, and then move rearwardly under and behind the next tooth. At

this time the upper edges of the fingers reach pins 43 and 44 fixed in regulator levers 45 and 46 respectively. This permits continued rearward movement of the fingers to move their forward ends downwardly and out of engagement with the ratchet wheels, as shown in Figure 2.

During the return movement of bell crank l2, the counter-clockwise movement (as viewed in Figure 1) of the cradle moves the fingers forwardly, permitting each finger 25 and 26 to engage its corresponding wheel 35 and 36 and rotate the wheel one tooth space, This advances each of the platens one line space. Toward the end of the return movement, ears 4! and 42 formed on end plates I! and I8 contact the upper edges of the spacing fingers, causing the fingers to be moved out of engagement with the spacing wheels for the remainder of the movement.

Levers 45 and 46 are pivoted at 41 and 46 (Figures 1 and 2) on the carriage side walls, and each is held in adjusted position by a springpulled detent 5|. A suitable index reading 0 1 2 is provided on each carriage side plate to indicate the positions of levers 45 and 46. When the lever is in its intermediate or 1 position as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3', a single line space movement will be imparted to the platens, as above described.

If the operator desires to have either of the platens advance two line spaces during one operation, or on the other hand, not advance at all, it is only necessary for him to grasp the forward end of the corresponding lever 45 or 46 and move it up or down. When the lever is in its upper position, the forward end of its corresponding spacing finger 25 or 26 is elevated sufliciently to engage two teeth of its corresponding ratchet wheel 35 or 36 instead of one tooth, and thereby rotates its corresponding platen two line spaces instead of one during its forward movement,

When either lever 45 or 46 is moved to its lower position, the forward end of its corresponding spacing finger 25 or 26 is restricted in its upward movement to such an extent that it will not engage any of the teeth on its corresponding wheel 35 or 36, thereby failing to advance its corre sponding platen.

Spring held detents 39 and 45 are pivoted on studs 94 and on the opposite carriage side walls, and carry rollers 96 and 91 respectively (see also Figure 3). Springs 98 and 99 hold rollers 96 and 91 in engagement with the teeth on wheels 35 and 36 to hold the corresponding platens in advanced position.

Columnar control of line spacing As it is desirable to have the line spacing mechanisms operate only in certain tabular positions of the carriage, the following parts are provided to disable it at certain times. to Figure 6, a carriage operated lever 52 is pivoted at 53 to a stationary part of the machine, and has a roller 54 lying in the vertical plane of control lugs such as 56 carried by suitable supporting magazines such as 51 on the rear of the paper carriage. A rod 58 extends between the under side of lever 52 and the rear arm of a lever 61 pivoted on a rod 62 and connected to a link 63. Link 63 is also connected to the forward end of an arm 64 secured to a shaft 65 journaled in a stationary part of the machine. Link 63 is held in its lower position, and rod 59 and lever 52 in their upper positions, by a spring 66 connected to link 63 and to a stationary part of the machine. A blocking arm 61 extends forwardly from shaft 65 and lies directly behind rod 16.

By the above described parts, rod 16 is held in its forward normal position when the parts are in the position shown in Figure 6, so that oscillation of bell crank l2 (Figure 1) during the operation will be inefiective in allowing springs 2! and 22 to move spacing fingers 25 and 26 to the rear, to place their forward ends in a position to advance the platens. However, when the carriage moves into one of its columnar positions where line spacing is desired, a lug 56 depresses roller 54, depressing rod 56 and raising the blocking arm 61 above rod It. Now upon the ensuing operation, rod !6 is free to move to the rear and thereby enable the spacing fingers to advance the platens.

Carriage control of line spacing Another means is provided, as mentioned previously, to allow line spacing of only that part of the platen lying in operative relation with the Referring printing type during that operation. This means includes levers 68 and H (Figures 1 and 2) pivoted to the carriage side walls at 12 and 13 and carry rollers 14 and '15 on horizontal arms thereof. Each of these levers is provided with an arcuate slot I5 and TI embracing studs 94 and 95, each slot being concentric with its corresponding axis 12 and 13 to permit guided swinging movement of the levers. Levers 68 and II have depending arms 13 and 8| carrying pins 82 and 83 arranged to be lowered into the horiaontal plane of the upper edges of fingers 25 and 26 respectively. Springs 84 and 85, connected between the levers and pins 86 and 81 secured in the carriage side walls, normally tension the levers downwardly about their pivots to place pins 82 and 83 against the upper edges of fingers 25 and 26.

By comparing Figures 1 and 2, it will be noticed that the forward edge of carriage rail 2 extends a short distance into the path of rollers 14 and [5, so that when the carriage is shifted in one direction or the other, the rollers are forced forward as soon as they reach the rail. As shown in Figure 2, when one of the rollers has been forced forwardly by the carriage rail, pin 83 is elevated out of the path of finger 26 so that it will not affect the operation of the spacing finger during that operation. However, when movement of the carriage causes one of the rollers to leave the carriage rail, pin 82 or 83, as the case may be, is lowered sufiiciently to prevent the forward end of its associated spacing finger from moving into operative contact with the corresponding spacing wheel, as illustrated in Figure 1. Now, even though the cradle is permitted to move to the rear for line spacing during this operation, this particular spacing finger will be ineffective to advance its part of the platen.

By referring to Figure 4, it will be noticed that as long as the right hand part of the platen is opposite the printing type, roller 14, associated therewith and lying approximately behind spacing wheel 35, is in contact with the carriage rail, whereas roller 15 for the left part of the platen is out of contact with the rail, and that as soon as the left half of the platen is moved into operative position with the type bars, roller 15 is moved into contact with the rail and roller 14 out of contact therewith. By this arrangement, only that part of the platen in operative position with the printing type will be line spaced under control of carriage lugs 56.

Carriage line space control disabling means Means is provided for disabling the carriage control of line spacing operations so that line spacing will be solely under the control of the regulator levers 55 and 46 and the columnar control mechanism hereinbefore described. This means includes a pair of latch levers 8B and 9| which are pivoted at 92 and 93 to levers 68 and II respectively. The upper ends of these latch levers are formed to hook over studs 94 and 95 when the levers are swung toward the studs, to hold either or both of the control levers 69 and 1| in ineffective position against the tension of springs 84 and 85, as shown in Figure 5. By this arrangement, both parts of the platen may be simultaneously line spaced under the control of carriage lugs 56 in accordance with the adjustment of their corresponding line space regulators 45 and 46.

It will be noted that the independent operation of carriage control levers 68 and 'H and the line space regulating levers i5 and 46 enables the conditioning of the line spacing mechanism to perform no line spacing to both parts of the platen, simultaneous single or double line spacing to both parts of the platen, no line spacing of one part of the platen during single or double line spacing of the other part of the platen, or simultaneous single line spacing to one part and double line spacing to the other part of the platen.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form of embodiment herein disclosed, for it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms all coming Within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine of the class described, a laterally movable paper carriage, a two-part platen thereon, printing type, line spacing mechanism including a common actuator, a spacing wheel connected with each part of the platen, spacing fingers operable by the actuator and cooperating with the spacing wheels to advance their respective platen parts, means for regulating the cooperation of the fingers with the wheel to control the amount of advance of the wheels, and means including two levers and two rollers to prevent cooperation of the finger with the wheel of either platen part when such part is lying beyond the type, the two levers being pivoted on the carriage at opposite ends thereof and operating against the spacing fingers, and the two rollers being journaled on the levers and being displaced by a stationary part of the machine during travel of the carriage, to operate the levers,

2. In a machine of the class described, printing type, a paper-supporting platen having two parts, the parts each being movable into and out of printing position with respect to said type, line spacing mechanism including a spacing wheel connected to each part of the platen, and spacing fingers cooperating with said spacing wheels, manipulative means for regulating the cooperation of the fingers with the wheels, means associated with each spacing finger to prevent its cooperation with its corresponding wheel when its corresponding platen part is out of printing position with said type, means to automatically render said preventing means ineffective when its corresponding platen part moves into printing position with said type, and means operable at the will of the operator for latching said pre venting means in ineffective position.

WALTER A. ANDERSON. 

